Alice Turing
Birth injuries during labor and delivery can result from prolonged or difficult labor, abnormal fetal positioning, shoulder dystocia, assisted delivery with forceps or vacuum devices, fetal distress, or delays in performing a necessary cesarean delivery.
Some injuries can occur even when appropriate medical care is provided, while others may be linked to a failure to recognize complications or respond to them in a timely and appropriate manner.
South Carolina’s capital, Columbia, serves as the hub of the Midlands region and provides healthcare services to families throughout Richland County and surrounding communities. Parents in Columbia and nearby South Carolina communities who are concerned about whether a delivery injury could have been prevented may need to speak with a birth injury lawyer in Columbia, SC. Below are some common causes of birth injuries during labor and delivery.
Prolonged or Difficult Labor
Labor that lasts too long or fails to progress can increase the risk of complications for both the mother and baby. Labor arrest occurs when the cervix stops dilating or the baby stops moving through the birth canal despite adequate contractions.
When labor becomes prolonged or stops progressing, healthcare providers must closely monitor the mother and baby and determine whether continued labor is safe. Failure to recognize or properly manage arrested labor may increase the risk of oxygen deprivation, birth trauma, or other complications. In some cases, a timely cesarean delivery may be necessary to protect the baby from preventable harm.
Abnormal Fetal Position
A baby who is breech, face-first, shoulder-first, or positioned unusually may have difficulty moving through the birth canal. These positions can make delivery more complicated and may increase the need for an assisted delivery or cesarean section.
The position itself is not necessarily anyone’s fault. However, healthcare providers must recognize significant positioning problems and determine whether vaginal delivery remains safe.
Large Baby and Shoulder Dystocia
A larger baby can make vaginal delivery more difficult and increase the risk of birth trauma. Larger babies may also have a higher risk of shoulder dystocia, a complication that occurs when the baby’s shoulders become stuck after the head has been delivered.
Shoulder dystocia is considered an unpredictable obstetric emergency, so its occurrence alone does not establish medical negligence. However, healthcare providers must recognize the complication and respond promptly to reduce the risk of serious injury.
Forceps or Vacuum-Assisted Delivery
Forceps and vacuum devices can help deliver a baby when labor has stalled, the mother has pushed for a long time, or there are concerns about the baby’s heart rate. These assisted delivery methods can be appropriate in certain situations, but they also carry potential risks.
Improper use, excessive force, or incorrect placement of these devices may contribute to injuries involving the baby’s scalp, head, eyes, or nerves. However, not every injury associated with an assisted delivery indicates medical negligence.
Failure to Respond to Fetal Distress
Abnormal fetal heart-rate patterns can indicate that a baby may not be receiving enough oxygen. Providers may first try measures such as changing the mother’s position, but persistent problems can require immediate delivery. A delayed response can be especially serious when the baby is experiencing prolonged oxygen deprivation. In some situations, an urgent cesarean or assisted vaginal delivery may be necessary.
Delayed Cesarean Delivery
A cesarean may become necessary when labor stops progressing, fetal monitoring shows concerning changes, or another complication makes vaginal delivery unsafe. The timing of a cesarean can be especially important when the baby is showing signs of distress or another serious complication develops.
If healthcare providers recognize a serious complication but fail to perform a necessary cesarean within an appropriate timeframe, the delay may contribute to oxygen deprivation, birth injuries, or other preventable harm.
What Should Parents Do After a Birth Injury?
Parents should preserve records that may help explain what happened during labor and delivery. Important documents can include:
- Gather prenatal and delivery records.
- Request fetal monitoring strips.
- Keep newborn medical records and diagnoses.
- Document treatments, therapies, and follow-up care.
- Record how the injury affects the child’s development and daily life.
A medical review of these records can help distinguish an unavoidable birth complication from an injury that may have resulted from inadequate care. Under S.C. Code § 15-3-545, medical malpractice actions are generally subject to specific time limits, so parents should consider seeking legal advice promptly if they believe their child’s injury may have resulted from medical negligence.
Key Takeaways
- Prolonged or arrested labor can increase the risk of complications.
- Abnormal fetal positioning can make vaginal delivery more difficult.
- Larger babies have an increased risk of shoulder dystocia and birth trauma.
- Forceps and vacuum devices can cause injuries when used improperly.
- Fetal distress may require rapid intervention or delivery.
- Delays in necessary cesarean delivery can sometimes contribute to preventable harm.
- Medical records and fetal monitoring can help clarify what happened during delivery.
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I'm Alice and I live with a dizzying assortment of invisible disabilities, including ADHD and fibromyalgia. I write to raise awareness and end the stigma surrounding mental and chronic illnesses of all kinds.
